Biashara United 2-1 Kagera Sugar: Hosts end Sugar Miller's jinx with vital win

Biashara Mara United made a huge step towards a top-four finish in the Tanzania Mainland League with a 2-1 win over Kagera Sugar at Karume Memorial Stadium in Musoma.

Deogratius Mafie and Lenny Kissu were on target for the hosts with Vitalisy Mayanga striking for the visitors.

Kenyan tactician Francis Baraza was making a return to his former team with the aim of getting a positive outcome to help the Sugar Millers get out of the relegation zone.

Biashara had not won any games since the departure of the tactician on March 4, same as their opponents, who had also not won any game since appointing the experienced Kenyan to lead them.

Both teams had drawn two games and lost as many.

Prior to Monday's meeting, Biashara had not defeated Kagera in their previous five meetings. They had drawn two and lost three - including the 3-0 loss in the first round.

However, the hosts needed 24 minutes to show they were ready to break the jinx. They won a corner which was played in by Ramadhan Chombo and the unmarked Mafie rose highest to head home.

Four minutes later, a concentration lapse at the back allowed Kissu to get into the danger zone and he did not hesitate to double the advantage.

The Sugar Millers managed to get a goal back in the 84th minute to set up a tense finale. But the hosts stood firm to claim maximum points.

It was their 28th game of the season and their 12th win. They have drawn eight and lost as many and as a result, they are placed fourth with 44 points.

For Kagera, they are currently in 16th position with 28 matches. They have managed to get six wins, nine draws, and 13 losses.

In another top-tier assignment, Mtibwa Sugar fell 2-1 against Polisi Tanzania at Uwanja wa Jamhuri in Morogoro.

The opener came about after Tariq Seif was gifted possession in the danger zone, teed up the advancing Abdulaziz Makame who shot from just outside the area and into the net.

Darwesh Saliboko then dispossessed the defender in the 40th minute before cutting back to Seif, who cooly slotted home the second to ensure his team went for into the half-time break with a two-goal advantage.

Substitute Kelvin Sabato converted Salum Kihimbwa's pass in the 50th minute to pull one back but it turned out to be a mere consolation.